One of the city’s finest Thai restaurants is back with takeout and delivery only in Uptown. Reopening after an extended hiatus (the original was in Lakeview), this restaurant offers a variety of unique salads (try the green bean; the textures are perfect). The stir-fried and noodle dishes, which folks can find at other Thai restaurants, are also well executed. Order online.

Decorated chefs Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark, the seemingly tireless team behind Michelin-starred Parachute and sister restaurant Wherewithall in Avondale, are presenting pandemic-era menu of casual crowd-pleasers under the banner of Lil Parachute. The real showstopper is 10-piece box of delightfully crisp Korean fried chicken with sweet sesame soy and spicy gochujang sauces for dipping, with other hits including a luscious beef short rib with butter and chewy, crunchy Korean bing bread stuffed with potato, bacon, cheese, and scallions. Order online for pickup at Wherewithall.

The marketing behind Big Kids capitalizes on nostalgia — it’s kind of a ‘80s/‘90s pop-up with references to Ghostbusters and such. Folks who dismiss this as a gimmick would be making a mistake, as the playful attitude behind sandwiches like a vegan banh mi stuffed in a tortilla and served like a Taco Bell Crunchwrap is something to behold. The food from Ryan Pfeiffer, the former chef a West Loop’s Blackbird, is thoughtful, accessible, and delicious. Egg rolls stuffed with fried spaghetti and cheese and a toasted sandwich with collard greens are highlights. Notice that there are plenty of wonderful vegetarian and vegan options. Takeout only.

Evette’s in Lincoln Park is an ode to family, blending Lebanese and Mexican street food. The pita nachos are addicting, and the shawarma tacos feature juicy meat. There’s a lot of potential in the restaurant, which sold out of food on its first day. The flavors are bright and satisfying. This would make a great post-bar snack, if bars were open. Takeout only.

The owners of Middle Brow Beer Co. are on a mission. They’ve been one of most active restaurant owners during the pandemic, coming up with new strategies such starting a bread wholesale operation. This Logan Square brewpub now has started a morning operation with tasty toasts, cinnamon rolls, coffee, and low-ABV beer. The reservation-only patio is a good spot on a sunny day to catch up with friends or — gasp — get work done. 

Jeff & Jude’s was busy during the summer as ownership was getting the Ukrainian Village/Humboldt Park Jewish-ish deli off the ground with ordering made exclusively via Instagram. Those days are gone, as the restaurant — inspired by LA’s Canter’s Deli — has expanded its menu is now enjoying more regular hours. Customers will find deli staples like pastrami and corned beef. The real star may be the selection of breads.

Kasama is party French bakery, where Genie Kwon makes eclair-shaped croissants topped with ham or salmon, plus rich fruit tarts, and other pastries. Husband Timothy Flores focused on savory with Flipinx favorites like lumpia. The space is open for patio dining, takeout, and delivery in Ukrainian Village. Order online for pickup and delivery,

During most years, local and national media would be gushing over Ever, the lavish Fulton Market follow-up to Grace where chef Curtis Duffy earned a full three-star rating from Michelin. Diners reveled in their meals if they were lucky to dine inside the cavernous dining room before the indoor service shutdown. Duffy has since started takeaway at a much lower price point. Meals cost $55 and there’s a vegetarian option. Though the menu rotates, the initial offering is a Swiss chard tart and short rib; braised lamb stew is on deck. The dishes are thoughtful and show off an abundance of technique. Still, Duffy is restrained in a carryout setting, something many fine dining chefs are adapting to. Don’t forget to treat yourself to the cookies.

Rye is not a traditional Jewish deli, found inside the Crowne Plaza hotel, overlooking the Kennedy Expressway in West Loop. The chef is not Jewish and has created a fusion menu. The bagels are more Montreal style. The brisket could be served in Texas. The matzo balls are made with blue corn. Purists may balk at the offerings out of an obligation toward authenticity, but the food is inarguably tasty. And popular items won’t last. Order early online. 

The Illinois Medical District was besieged during the pandemic with high patient volumes. For hospital staff that wanted to leave their campus, there weren’t a lot of choices. Until now. Dr. Murphy’s Food Hall is from a N.Y.-based company, and most of the choices are imports including South Asian choices like Nepalese momos. Local favorites include burgers from the Delta and barbecue from Lexington Betty Smokehouse. Order online or in person. They recently added Dimo’s Pizza to the lineup.

Normally, when the founding chef of a restaurant exits, it means the kitchen is going to need some time to recalibrate. But 2020 is no normal year, and the circumstances aren’t normal at S.K.Y., where Asian influences in dishes like lobster dumplings from chef and owner Stephen Gillanders have kept customers happy even during the pandemic. In a surprise move, Gillanders took the head chef job at Somerset in Gold Coast, but retains control over his Pilsen restaurant. They’ve recently started to open early to serve coffee and baked goods from dazzling pastry chef Tatum Sinclair. It’s a lesson in persistence as this indie restaurant keeps going. Patio dining is also available.

The year 2020 is where the pizza wars heated up in Chicago, and the Marszewski brothers (Marz Community Brewing, Kimski, Maria’s Community Bar) were already primed to prove Bridgeport is the community of the future. PFIC primarily features square-cut Sicilian-style pizza. The veggie standby, with mushrooms, is a revelation. The pizza options rotate. Kimski chef Won Kim has created a variety of fried chicken in Korean and southern styles. Ice cream novelties are Dana Cree Salls of Pretty Cool Ice Cream. Take out, delivery, and patio dining are available. Order online.

The Promontory, run by 16” on Center — the company that runs Thalia Hall and Revival Food Hall — is a Hyde Park landmark. It’s been closed for the pandemic, it roars once more thanks to El Oso. Meaning “the bear” in Spanish, the restaurant features Mexican food from Jonathon Zaragoza — his family runs iconic Archer Heights restaurant Birrieria Zaragoza. There was a braised goat shank with mole on El Oso’s menu, but the Hyde Park restaurant is forging its own identity giving Mexican food a Midwestern twist thanks to seasonal produce. An example is enmoladas with roasted squash. It’s takeout only, but the interiors will make this a Hyde Park hot spot in years to come.